“We felt at ease with Marissa within minutes of meeting her.

She had a
very warm and generous smile and we were struck by her eagerness and
passion about her work. We didn’t know how lucky we would be when she
brought Amanda on to partner with her. They had an impressive range of
knowledge about pregnancy and birth, but what was more impressive was
their willingness to research what they didn’t know and their
indefatigable enthusiasm to share it with us. They checked in with us
regularly and offered encouragement and advice throughout the pregnancy.
Although we had a very different birth experience with Levi than we did
with our first child, this was magical in its own way and Marissa and
Amanda had a great deal to do with that. When I (Lynette) reached my due
date and everybody else was asking me when I was going to have the
baby, Marissa and Amanda sent me congratulatory e-mails, focusing on the
health and success of a full-term pregnancy. They pulled up to our
house in the wee hours of the morning I went into labor, and it was like
our team had arrived – we weren’t going to have to do this alone.
When Lynette suggested that we might walk to the hospital, they
responded with enthusiasm and so it felt like a field trip into the
starry night. The support they gave us allowed us to be in the moment
and trust ourselves. At times, it was just their silent presence. But
they also arrived with suitcases full of birthing accoutrements. We had
hoped for a water birth, which wasn’t available to us; however, Marissa
and Amanda allowed us to see the equivalent amazingness of a “land
birth.” What we wanted in that birthing room was a sense of community;
what we found in that birthing room was an extended family. To have a doula is to have someone in your corner in an awe-inspiring and challenging time.
We wanted to have a natural birth, and Marissa’s and Amanda’s presence
at Levi’s birth allowed us to truly experience the wonder of the
process.”

*****doula reflections

One
year ago today, we met a woman at home, staring silent far away at the fire in
her woodstove and walked with her under a starry winter sky to the hospital
room where she birthed her son. Then, a few short hours later, we drove through
the rain and snow to a different birthing room, where a couple worked
tirelessly together through the night to welcome their twins on their own
terms. It seems like ages ago, and I still tear up thinking about that day. I
attended births before that, but in many ways that first set of back to back
births initiated me fully into this work. Today I noted summer due dates on my
calendar, planned and reflected. This work is amazing and it is hard and I am
grateful ♥

— M

photo by Nature & Nurture

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Bellyfull Birth supports your growing family through pregnancy, birth and the early days of parenting with workshops and classes and consultations to women and families in Western MA, Southern VT, & Southwest NH (view a map of my service area).I would love to support your family on your journey to parenthood. Contact me to learn more.